A New Species Endemic to the Atacama Region of Chile: Eryngium crassifolium (Apiaceae, Saniculoideae)

Abstract

This study reports a new species of Eryngium (Apiaceae, Saniculoideae) from the desert scrubs, in the south of the III Atacama Region, Chile. This new species is singular within the genus by its succulency in vegetative and reproductive leaves.Weprovide a morphological description, the geographical distribution, habitat, informal IUCN conservation status assessment, and illustrations of this new species. We also describe the anatomical and morphological differences between Eryngium crassifolium and E. macracanthum, its most similar species.